James Sturtevant Hacking Engagement

Latest Episodes:

102-Unleash your Student Technocracy...Starring Brennan Daugstrup and Shawn Sherburn May 24, 2018

Show notes

Brennan Daugstrup (The Blog) and Shawn Sherburn (Shrapnel) make me feel great in this episode. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then classify me as flattered to the hilt. These wonderful young guys are highly complimentary of my flipped lectures. But what really frosted my educational gourd, was being informed by my two young friends that when prompted to make videos, they use mine as a template. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I treasure their endorsement of my teaching style. Additionally, they teach me about some cool platforms, one of which I'm determined to utilize. Their ingenuity and creativity are why I labeled them technocrats.

101-Meet me in the Agora, the Zero Tech Road to an Epic Class Discussion...Starring Mel Eckelbarger May 17, 2018

Show notes

It's tough to get students to participate in class discussions. It's tough to keep track of all the tech tools I toss out in this podcast. Well in this episode, I'm determined to alleviate both of these frustrations. I'll provide an engaging and fun class discussion tactic, which will only require great sources, provocative prompts, a stopwatch, 1 sheet of paper, and a pen or pencil.
The Agora was the square in an ancient Greek city-state. The Greeks took democracy seriously. Participation was mandatory, juries were massive, being informed was a must. The Greeks accomplished what we try to do in all of our Social Studies classes daily...foster citizenship.
I became exposed to the appointment book method of discussing at a PD session many moons ago. I was impressed, but perhaps not that impressed because I totally forgot about it. I did not invent this tactic, but like most teachers, I beg, borrow, and steal, morphing as I go. This past month, I needed a new tactic to employ in an upcoming class discussion. For some odd and welcomed reason, I remembered the PD appointment activity. Eureka...I had my idea and I called it Meet me in the Agora! It went so well that I shared it with my friend, colleague, and neighbor Mel Eckelbarger. Mel utilized my Meet me in the Agora tactic the next day and was most pleased with the results. We'll discuss the particulars of this tactic...how to set it up, execute it, and we'll even troubleshoot Meet me in the Agora.

100-Surviving 33 Years in the Classroom...Starring Kevin Ellinwood Apr 13, 2018

Show notes

I started this podcast in the summer of 2016. I just had completed my book Hacking Engagement. The podcast was meant to supplement the book. There are 50 hacks in Hacking Engagement. My objective in 2016 was to produce 50 episodes. It seemed like climbing a mountain. It was hard to fathom producing 50 episodes...and yet I did. I had so much fun that I went ahead and produced 100!
This episode is a celebration of this achievement. I interview Kevin Ellinwood.
Kevin Ellinwood. Kevin, like me, is completing his 33rd year in the classroom. Please enjoy this show as we reflect upon 33 glorious years amongst thousands of young people. No episode template...just listen, enjoy, and thanks so much for listening!

99-If the Statue of Liberty were a teacher...how would she handle kids who struggle with English...Starring Diann Espinoza Apr 06, 2018

Show notes

America is changing. According to Pew, by 2050 the US will be 29% Hispanic. If you don't have kids in your class who struggle with English, you will in the future. If you have students that struggle, expect a lot more. I've spoken to colleagues who've experienced such students. Many of these educators expressed frustration. They lack training and resources. In prepping for this episode, I concluded that teachers need to strive to be like the Statue of Liberty...SAY WHAT!?!
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore,” she wrote. “Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
The golden door is an education! Embrace these youngsters. Think how stressful it is for them to not feel free to express themselves.
In this episode, I interview a bilingual champion by the name of Diann Espinoza.

98-StoryboardThat will Transform your Kids into Editorial Cartoonists Mar 30, 2018

Show notes

When I was a young teacher, I used to bring my newspaper to study hall. Students would perch on their desks and observe me like vultures. As soon as I was done with the Sports Section, or the Life Section, they would swoop down and devour it! Today, I'm not sure kids could identify a newspaper in a police lineup. What I loved the most about consuming the newspaper each day was the Comic's Page and the Editorial Cartoons. Unfortunately, I don't get a paper anymore. My exposure to comics has diminished significantly. I miss them!
So...in this episode, I'll demonstrate how to revive this wonderful medium with the help of a tremendous tech tool called StoryboardThat. I'll also give non-humanities teachers an idea on how they could use it in their curriculum.

97-The Virtual Gallery Walk Compliments of Screencastify Mar 24, 2018

Show notes

Student videos started to get on my nerves. It was the same thing over and over. The kids put most of their efforts into making them funny and violent. The videos seemed more slapstick than expressive.
I retooled the way kids create videos and the results have been spectacular. This episode is about HOW I have my students do this and HOW they present their work to one another. Episode 44 is about student presentations via the gallery walk. In this program, I'm going to promote the idea of creating a virtual gallery walk. I was impressed a couple of years ago when I had my kids take a virtual tour of the Caves of Lascaux. I remember thinking...Wouldn't it be cool if my kids could create a virtual exhibit?
My students mastered this challenge with the help of Google Slides and wonderful screen recorder called Screencastify.

96-Jason Connelly is the Man Behind the Curtain...Crafting Powerful and Futuristic Classroom Presentations Mar 10, 2018

Show notes

Many moons ago, I read a fascinating book about the future. Bill Gates’ book "The Road Ahead" inspired me greatly. I couldn’t wait to see if Gates’ fascinating predictions came to fruition. Guess what…most did!
This episode will feature a Gates-like futuristic prophet in regard to lesson delivery. Jason Connelly is an instructional designer at Columbus State Community College. I became acquainted with Jason last year. Columbus State commissioned your humble narrator to create the online version of World Civilization 1181. Jason was my mentor and muse in this massive creative challenge.
I’ve taken all that I learned from Jason and applied it to my virtual lesson creation. I’ve guided student to create superior projects based on what I learned from Jason. Don’t be intimidated by what you hear today. In my next episode, I’ll explain how to transform a basic storyboard, which I'll encourage you to create, into a powerful video.

95-Your Step-by-Step Guide to an Epic Class Discussion Sturtevant-Style Mar 02, 2018

Show notes

In the midst of your last class discussion, you may have felt some pangs of disappointment. Perhaps, there was not enough engagement. Or maybe, the participation level was not satisfactory. Some students may have monopolized the airwaves. Well...I'm here to help.
In this episode, you'll be treated to a step-by-step approach to epic class discussions. This template can be used repeatedly. Welcome, dear friends, to Philosophical Chairs Sturtevant-Style!

94-Usher in Relevance Courtesy of Elon Musk and Peergrade...Starring Mitchell Charles Feb 24, 2018

Show notes

I get frustrated when I'm asked to do something irrelevant. Don't you? And yet, many teachers dread when students ask, "When am I ever going to need to know this stuff?" It's a rather obnoxious way of asking, "Is this lesson relevant?" Now, picture this. You craft a lesson that is so relevant that you hope some kid inquires! This episode is designed to help you create such a lesson. To help in this mission is an awesome primary source.Mitchell Charles is an articulate young man destined for academic brilliance.
In World Civilization, we were meandering through a unit on the Industrial Revolution. This topic typically leaves some students cold. My challenge was to make it relevant. I did this with the help of Elon Musk and Peergrade.

93-The Evolving Seamless Relationship Between K12 and Higher Ed...Starring Penny Sturtevant Feb 17, 2018

Show notes

I get inspiration for my episodes from odd sources. One of my New Year's resolutions is to read more. The past few years, I've been busy writing my book, so I had zero time to consume words because I was too busy creating narratives. That's changed and it's delightful. Currently, I'm reading Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance. This book is about Musk's incredible vision, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his dogged determination. The book is also about how crucial it is to embracing change. I've been inspired by reading it!
Consequently, I needed to bring a change agent on my podcast. Penny Sturtevant is the College and Career Readiness Coordinator for the Big Walnut Local Schools. Penny is an expert on prevailing trends in education in regard to career ed and college readiness. We discuss the brave new frontier of K12 and Higher Ed's evolving relationship. In the title, I utilized the word seamless. Listen to this powerful episode to learn why.
This program does not feature a tactic, a tool, or a lesson to specifically engage kids. Instead, this episode could inspire you to seek out an enrichment path for your students. If you're successful, I predict you'll be greatly inspired as well.

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